A resolution sponsored by Rep. Steve McCarter (D-Montgomery) to designate October 2017 as “Biodiversity Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania drew derision on Tuesday not commonly leveled at designation resolutions on the House Floor.

Major legislation in the state General Assembly is often the product of compromise and deal-making and the revenue package the Senate moved along last week was no exception.

However, while various interest groups and stakeholders are scoffing at individual portions of the five budget-related implementation bills that provided for nearly $2.1 billion in funding for the state budget, those hoping to see some movement on reforming so-called stop-and-go enforcement might have their wishes answered in a portion of the Fiscal Code aimed at addressing the issue.

The House Liquor Control Committee Tuesday afternoon unanimously reported to the full House legislation that is designed to address issues related to so-called stop-and-go stores in Philadelphia that sell alcohol on the fringes of the law.

Joining in a move announced last week by Gov. Tom Wolf for non-civil service positions, the state Civil Service Commission announced this week that it will no longer include a question about criminal convictions on a majority of employment applications for civil service positions.